Area experiencing blizzard conditions

The snowplows and road graders were busy Monday morning clearing clogged city streets and highways in much of North Dakota, including the Devils Lake Basin.

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Devils Lake Journal - Devils Lake, ND

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Posted Feb. 18, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Updated Feb 18, 2013 at 11:59 AM

Posted Feb. 18, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Updated Feb 18, 2013 at 11:59 AM

The snowplows and road graders were busy Monday morning clearing clogged city streets and highways in much of North Dakota, including the Devils Lake Basin. According to the National Weather Service a blizzard warning is in effect in the area until 6 p.m. CT tonight.

No travel advised in much of state.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have issued a No Travel Advisory for portions of northwest North Dakota including the cities of Crosby, Bowbells and surrounding areas due to snow causing scattered drifts, reduced visibility, and ice on roadways making travel hazardous. Conditions are such that motorists in this area should not travel.

A Travel Alert is still in effect for the southeast region of North Dakota including the cities of Grand Forks, Hillsboro, Fargo, Wahpeton and surrounding areas high winds causing blowing snow to stick to the roadway creating areas of scattered ice.

The three categories are as follows:

1. TRAVEL ALERT – Motorists can still travel but may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions on roadways. Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destination and be alert to conditions that may make travel difficult, change rapidly, or cause travel delays. A TRAVEL ALERT has the potential to change to a NO TRAVEL ADVISED if conditions deteriorate.

2. NO TRAVEL ADVISED – Motorists should not travel due to hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe to travel. Snowplows may be pulled from the roads during severe conditions. Motorists should take NO TRAVEL ADVISED seriously as those motorists who choose to travel at their own risk may become stranded and emergency responders may not be able to reach them safely. A NO TRAVEL ADVISED has the potential to change to a ROAD CLOSED OR BLOCKED if conditions deteriorate.

3. ROAD CLOSED OR BLOCKED – Motorists are not allowed to travel on a closed road due to life threatening conditions. The road may be impassible or blocked. Motorists who drive past a road closure device may be fined up to $250.

Please be advised that road condition information on 511 and the travel map is updated daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. CDT. The road report is based upon the information available to the NDDOT at the time of preparation and is provided solely as a public service. Conditions may vary from those reported.

If you become stranded, motorists should stay with their vehicle and call 911 for emergency assistance.